Import rules · November 7, 2026
Cars built for markets outside the U.S. were not made to U.S. safety and emissions standards. Federal law still lets them in once they are old enough, which is why you hear so much about the "25-year rule."
Two agencies, two rules
- Safety (NHTSA): a car at least 25 years old is exempt from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The age is counted from the month and year it was built, not the model year.
- Emissions (EPA): a car at least 21 years old, in its original configuration, is exempt from U.S. emissions standards.
Because a car has to clear both, the 25-year safety rule is the one that decides when most imports can come in.
How the date is counted
The build date is on the car's plate and in its export paperwork, such as Japan's export certificate or the UK V5C. A car built in March 2001 becomes eligible in March 2026. Model year doesn't count: a "2002" car built in late 2001 qualifies a few months earlier than one built in 2002.
What if the car is a few months short?
You can usually buy it now and keep it in storage until it qualifies, then ship it. We check the build date of every car before you commit, so you never pay for a car that can't come in.
Are there exceptions?
A few. Cars that were built to U.S. standards, including some Canadian-market cars, can come in younger with the right paperwork. Show or Display permission covers a short list of rare cars. For almost everything else, it is 25 years.
The paperwork at the border
The customs entry includes NHTSA's HS-7 and EPA's 3520-1 declarations, where the 25-year and 21-year exemptions are claimed. Our sister company Your Customs Brokers files them with the entry.
Questions about your car? Ask us or call +1 (239) 810-8226.